Seek Appropriate Permission Before Visiting Afari Hospital – Deputy Defence Minister
The Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Ernest Brogya Genfi, has urged the public to seek appropriate authorisation before accessing the Afari Military Hospital project site in the Ashanti Region, citing ongoing security concerns and theft at the facility.
According to him, the facility has been placed under the protection of the Ghana Armed Forces due to incidents of theft.
“All persons are therefore encouraged to seek appropriate authorisation before accessing the project site,” Brogya Genfi cautioned.
In a Facebook post, the Minister revealed that the 500-bed military hospital, which was cut sod for by former President John Dramani Mahama in March 2014, remains incomplete 12 years after the scheduled completion date.
The project, valued at $180 million, was expected to be completed within 42 months, by 2018.
However, Brogya Genfi said mismanagement, administrative bottlenecks, and neglect have stalled progress.
It comes after Minority Members of Parliament were denied entry into the facility two days ago.
Current State
By January 2017, civil and architectural works stood at 90%, with biomedical and mechanical installations outstanding, with the overall completion at 57%.
The Deputy Minister said that when the new government assumed office, the contractor had abandoned the site and no work was taking place, adding that the contractor is now demanding outstanding payments of $7 million, “Claim 1”, and $78 million, “Claim 2”, before returning to site, even though the previous regime claimed to have settled all obligations and refused further payment.
“To compound matters, medical equipment imported for the project was abandoned at the port, incurring heavy demurrages and some eventually being auctioned – a tragic waste of resources,” he stated.
Currently, the hospital stands at 60% overall completion, he said, noting that civil and architectural works are at 97%, but biomedical and mechanical installations are at only 5%.
He added that some warranties on medical equipment have expired, others have become outdated or been stolen from the site.
Way Forward
He said the government has since re-engaged the contractor and is reviewing the contract.
According to him, authorities are also assessing all medical equipment available in-country to ensure speedy recovery and completion of the facility.
While acknowledging efforts to salvage the project, the Deputy Minister took a swipe at the previous administration.
“While we work tirelessly to salvage this project and deliver the hospital to the Ghana Armed Forces and the people of Ashanti, let us be spared the provocations of those who slept on a 3-year project for 8 years,” he wrote.
The Afari Military Hospital was envisioned to decongest Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and serve as a referral facility for military and civilian patients in the middle belt.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
